Quoting: TrueCanuck
But where the comparison of Batherson to Gaudette is more accurate, is that both were never projected to be a top line guy. Of the 3 guys you pointed out, Benn would be the outlier. JVR and Tkachuk were projected to be top line guys from their junior days (although I'd argue JVR has never been a top line guy, more of a really good 2nd line guy at best), where Batherson wasn't and isn't. He's playing, good for him and good for Ottawa. But that doesn't make him a top line player. Like I said, he won't even be on Ottawa's top line next season and then watch his point total drop off. No one will be talking about him as a top line guy. He's not elite in any area of his game to make him in the conversation of a top line guy. He's a bit more well rounded who's been on a hot streak. People seem to forget about him having only 7 points in his first 17 games (2G, 5A) and it took him until his 9th game to score his first goal. He's had a hot April with 11 points in 14 games. But other than that, he's been mediocre. In January he had 5 points in 9 games, in February he had 10 points in 14 games (warmer but not hot), in March he had 6 points in 13 games (includes a 4 game pointless streak and a 6 game pointless streak). That's not very consistent or the numbers of a "top line guy" in the NHL.. in the AHL, sure. But not in the big leagues.
It seems like there is a confusion of what a top line winger is.
Because I would say JVR is a top line player. So, if JVR isn't a top line player, I fully agree Batherson isn't either.
But by those same standards Robertson is also unlikely to be a top line player.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Robertson fan, but do you really think he's going to be better than James van Riemsdyk, who has scores 30 or more goals twice and 20 or more goals 6 times (and would have 8 if not for the shortened seasons). I highly doubt it.